TO: Commodores of General and Affiliate Members GYA Executive Committee GYA Past Commodores GYA Standing Committee and Council Chairmen GYA Coordinator of each GYA General Member Club GYA Associate Members
The Gulf Yachting Association Annual Board of Directors Meeting, in conjunction with the Opening Regatta will be held May 3rd – 5th, 2024, at the Fairhope Yacht Club, 101 Volanta Ave., Fairhope, AL 36532, (251) 928-3276. GYA Standing Committee Chairs and Council Chairs should submit their written reports prior to the meeting to the GYA Secretary. As some mailing and/or email contact information at each club may have changed since our last meeting, please distribute this information to the appropriate contacts at your club if applicable.
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2024
1630 – 1800
Early Registration and Check-In (Ball Room)
1830
Executive Committee Meeting (Jubilee Room)
SATURDAY, May 4, 2024
0830
Regatta Registration (Jubilee Room)
0900
Hot Breakfast and Beverages (Ball Room)
Capdevielle Committee Meeting (TBD)
1000
GYA Board Meeting (Ball Room)
1100
Lunch Available (Under Club)
Competitors’ Meeting (Under Club)
1130
Flag Raising Ceremony (FYC Flagpole Area)
1300
Warning Signal – All Classes (Back-to-back races to follow)
1700
Commodore’s Party / Food (Under Club) – Entertainment provided by The Groovinators
SUNDAY May 5, 2024
0800
Hot Breakfast (Ball Room)
1025
Warning Signal – All Classes (Back-to-back races to follow)
1430
No Races to Start after this Time
ASAP After Racing – Trophy Presentation and Light Appetizers (Ball Room)
Fairhope Yacht Club will provide all GYA Clubs the program and schedule of events for the Opening Regatta competition for the following trophies:
Commodore J. Gilbert Scheib Trophy
Commodore John Dane Trophy (Masters Trophy)
Local Accommodations:
Hampton Inn Fairhope – 23 N Section St, Fairhope, AL 36532 – (251) 928-0956
Marriot Grand Hotel – One Grand Blvd, Point Clear, AL 36564 – (251) 928-9201
Holiday Inn Express – 19751 Greeno Rd, Fairhope, AL 36532 – (251) 928-9191
The following Bylaw changes will be presented for your consideration:
Current Rule
Article VI – Meetings of the Board of Directors
Section 1: Regular Meetings
Current:
A. Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting shall be held the first Saturday in May unless otherwise requested by the incoming Commodore and approved by the Board of Directors. The meeting shall be hosted by the yacht club of the Commodore or such other yacht club selected by the Commodore with the approval of the Executive Committee.
B. Semiannual Meeting. The Semiannual Meeting shall be held the Saturday morning of each Labor Day weekend unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors, at the yacht club hosting the GYA Championship for the Lipton Trophy.
Proposed:
A. Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting shall be held the day of the first scheduled Opening Regatta race and shall be hosted by the yacht club of the Commodore or such other yacht club selected by the Commodore with the approval of the Executive Committee.
B. Semiannual Meeting. The Semiannual Meeting shall be held the day of the first scheduled race of the GYA Championship for the Lipton Trophy at the yacht club hosting the championship.
If you have recently lost a member of your sailing community and would like to have them included in the silent prayer during the Board of Directors meeting, please forward names with club affiliation to the secretary (secretary@gya.org).
Please remember to wear your blue blazer and white pants for the flag raising ceremony following the board of directors meeting. The Executive Committee looks forward to seeing everyone.
TO: Commodores of General and Affiliate Members GYA Executive Committee GYA Past Commodores GYA Standing Committee and Council Chairmen GYA Coordinator of each GYA General Member Club GYA Associate Members
PLEASE NOTE THE MEETING FORMAT HAS CHANGED SIGNIFICALLY FROM PRIOR YEARS
The Winter Meeting of the Gulf Yachting Association will be held on January 12th – 14th, 2024 at the Biloxi Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, 115 E 1st Street, Biloxi, MS 39530. Since some contact information at your club may have changed since our last meeting, please distribute this information to the appropriate contacts at your club.
Friday, January 12, 2024 7:00 pm Executive Committee Meeting & Dinner Hosted at the home of Commodore Robbie Schmidt
Saturday, January 13, 2024 9:30 am Museum Doors Open – Reception Area at Entrance 10:00 am Race Management Committee Meeting – Theater, 2nd Floor 10:30 am One Design & Youth Committee Meeting – Large Meeting Room, 1st Floor 11:30 am Racing Regulations Committee Meeting – Hurricane Gallery, 3rd Floor 1:00 pm Capdevielle Committee Meeting – Large Meeting Room, 1st Floor 2:00 pm Offshore Council Meeting – Theater, 2nd Floor 2:00 pm Trophy Committee Meeting – Board Room, 3rd Floor 3:00 pm Scheduling Committee Meeting – Hurricane Gallery, 3rd Floor 5:30 pm GYA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING – Large Meeting Room, 1st Floor 6:30 PM GYA ANNUAL AWARDS RECEPTION – Nydia Gallery, 2nd Floor $25 per person RSVP to GYA Secretary (228) 669-7518 or secretary@gya.org Payments made to GYA, mail to 1245 Kensington Drive, Biloxi, MS 39530
*GYA Managers Association next meeting will be during the Annual GYA meeting at Fairhope Yacht Club in May
Sunday, January 14, 2024 11:00 am Walk On Schooner Sail $30 per person, reserve through the museum directly, (228) 435-6320 Departs from the Schooner Pier Complex, 367 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, MS 39530
NOTICE OF WINTER MEETING January 12-14, 2024 Biloxi Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum 115 E 1st Street Biloxi, MS 39530
GYA COMMODORES – GENERAL MEMBER CLUBS – Your club’s attendance is very important. If you cannot attend the Board meeting, please send a WRITTEN NOTICE naming your club’s representative to the GYA Secretary-Treasurer via email secretary@gya.org, or hand deliver at the meeting.
All GYA Club Board Members and their club members are invited to attend the Annual GYA Awards reception. The reception will be Saturday evening at the Biloxi Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum beginning at 6:30 pm. Please note that this is a reception this year (not a dinner), and the cost will be $25 per person. Please make your reception reservations to the GYA Secretary by January 5, 2024, via email secretary@gya.org, by calling (228) 669-7518 or mailing your payment payable to the GYA to 1245 Kensington Drive, Biloxi, MS 39530. Your GYA Flag Officers look forward to seeing you at the Winter meeting at the Biloxi Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum. Please wear your appropriate blazer, club badge and dress slacks for the meeting and reception.
Sincerely, Jennifer Schmidt GYA Secretary/Treasurer (228) 669-7518
PROPOSED EXECTUIVE COMMITTEE BY THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR 2024: Randy Fitzpatrick-Wainwright, Commodore (Fairhope YC) Alan McMillan, Vice Commodore (Pensacola YC) Richard Heausler, Rear Commodore (Bay Waveland YC) Shannon Weatherly, Secretary/Treasurer (Pass Christian YC)
PROPOSED GYA BY-LAW CHANGES: Article III – Membership Current B. Classification (2) Affiliate Membership. Organizations in this classification shall be a member of the United States Sailing Association. Compliance with this requirement may be delayed until acceptance. Affiliate members shall have the right to participate in USSA events conducted within the GYA, use the services of the Appeals Committee and the PHRF Rating Committee in accordance with the established procedures and otherwise participate in GYA affairs on a reduced basis as determined by the Board of Directors from time to time, but shall not be entitled to representation on the Board. Proposed B. Classification (2) Affiliate Membership. Organizations in this classification shall be a member of the United States Sailing Association. Compliance with this requirement may be delayed until acceptance. Affiliate members shall have the right to participate in USSA events conducted within the GYA, use the services of the Appeals Committee and the Handicap Rating Committee in accordance with the established procedures and otherwise participate in GYA affairs on a reduced basis as determined by the Board of Directors from time to time, but shall not be entitled to representation on the Board.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS SECTION 5: DUTIES OF OFFICERS Current A. Commodore. (3) exercise ratification authority over the selection of the Chair of the PHRF Rating Committee. Proposed A. Commodore. (3) exercise ratification authority over the selection of the Chair of the Handicap Rating Committee.
PROPOSED GYA RACING REGULATION CHANGES: Current Rule 7.4 Capdevielle Series Regattas. Interclub events established by the BOD and managed as specified in Regulation 11 – Host Club Requirements. Certain regattas have special regulations as defined below in addition to the regulations common to all series regattas. Series regattas may be added with the approval of or deleted by the action of the BOD only. Series regattas established by the BOD are:
Regatta Name
Abbreviated Name
Designation
Host Club
Mardi Gras
Non-Championship
New Orleans Yacht Club
GYA Opening
Opening
Non-Championship Regulation 23
GYA Commodore’s Club
Spring
Non-Championship
Buccaneer Yacht Club
Candler
Non-Championship
St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club
Meigs
Non-Championship
Ft. Walton Yacht Club
Summer
Non-Championship
Mobile Yacht Club
Weatherly
Non-Championship
Gulfport Yacht Club
Junior Lipton Challenge
Junior Lipton
Championship Regulation 20
Determined by previous year results
Knost Ladies Championship
Knost
Championship Regulation 21
Pass Christian Yacht Club
Sir Thomas Lipton Cup Challenge
Lipton Cup
Championship Regulation 19
Determined by previous year results
Wadewitz
Non-Championship
Fairhope Yacht Club
Sugar Bowl Race of Champions
Sugar Bowl
Non-Championship Regulation 22
Southern Yacht Club
Proposed Rule 7.4 Capdevielle Series Regattas. Interclub events established by the BOD and managed as specified in Regulation 11 – Host Club Requirements. Certain regattas have special regulations as defined below in addition to the regulations common to all series regattas. Series regattas may be added with the approval of or deleted by the action of the BOD only. Series regattas established by the BOD are:
Regatta Name
Abbreviated Name
Designation
Host Club
Mardi Gras
Non-Championship
New Orleans Yacht Club
GYA Opening
Opening
Non-Championship Regulation 23
GYA Commodore’s Club
Spring
Non-Championship
Buccaneer Yacht Club
Candler
Non-Championship
St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club
Meigs
Non-Championship
Ft. Walton Yacht Club
Summer
Non-Championship
Mobile Yacht Club
Weatherly
Non-Championship
Gulfport Yacht Club
Junior Lipton Challenge
Junior Lipton
Championship Regulation 20
See reg 20.1(a)
Knost Ladies Championship
Knost
Championship Regulation 21
Pass Christian Yacht Club
Sir Thomas Lipton Cup Challenge
Lipton Cup
Championship Regulation 19
See reg 19.1(a)
Wadewitz
Non-Championship
Fairhope Yacht Club
Sugar Bowl Race of Champions
Sugar Bowl
Non-Championship Regulation 22
Southern Yacht Club
Current Rule 14.1 The number of races scheduled and required to constitute a series at each event shall conform to the following:
Event
Number of Races Scheduled
Number of Races to Constitute a Series
Lipton Cup
5
2
Junior Lipton
6
1
Knost
Maximum of 5
1
Sugar Bowl
Maximum of 5
Per the OA
All Others
5
1
Proposed Rule 14.1 The number of races scheduled and required to constitute a series at each event shall conform to the following:
Event
Number of Races Scheduled
Number of Races to Constitute a Series
Lipton Cup
5
2
Junior Lipton
5
1
Knost
Maximum of 5
1
Sugar Bowl
Maximum of 5
Per the OA
All Others
5
1
Current Rule 15.3 Ties: Except as provided in Regulations 19.9 (Lipton Cup), and 20.4 (Junior Lipton), ties shall be resolved according to RRS A8.
Proposed Rule 15.3 Ties: Except as provided in Regulations 19.9 (Lipton Cup), and 20.5 (Junior Lipton), ties shall be resolved according to RRS A8.
Current Rule 20 JUNIOR LIPTON REGATTA 20.1 Host Club (a)The host club shall be determined exactly as the Lipton Cup host club, Regulation 19.1(a)(b), except that the three (3) mile radius restriction shall not apply.
Proposed Rule (a) (Effective for the 2025 season.) The GYA club that won the previous year shall normally host in the current year. No club, however, shall host in consecutive years. If, because of this restriction, the previous year winner is not eligible to host, that club may offer hosting the current year to another GYA club. Any such awarding of an alternate host shall only be with EXCOM approval prior to the next Annual Meeting. (b)(Effective for the 2025 season.) In the event that a previous year winner that is eligible to host the current year elects not to, that club may offer current year hosting to any GYA club that is eligible to do so. Any such awarding of an alternate host shall only be with EXCOM approval prior to the next Annual Meeting.
Margaritaville Resort Biloxi 195 Beach Boulevard Biloxi, MS (228) 271-6377 0.3 miles to museum
Golden Nugget Biloxi Hotel & Casino 151 Beach Boulevard Biloxi, MS (228) 435-5400 0.3 miles to museum
Palace Casino Resort 158 Howard Avenue Biloxi, MS (228) 432-8888 0.3 miles to museum
The White House Hotel 1230 Beach Boulevard Biloxi, MS (228) 233-1230 3.3 miles to museum
The Roost Boutique 604 Porter Avenue Ocean Springs, MS (228) 285-7989 2.5 miles to museum
Hotel The Hemingway 929 Washington Avenue Ocean Springs, MS (228) 875-4496 2.9 miles to museum
Submit your club’s 2024 sailing schedule, links have been emailed
Submit your club’s 2024 Directory information, links have been emailed
Winter Meeting, January 13, 2024, Biloxi Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum
TO: Commodores of General and Affiliate Members GYA Executive Committee GYA Past Commodores GYA Standing Committee and Council Chairmen GYA Coordinator of each GYA General Member Club GYA Associate Members
The Semi-Annual Meeting of the Gulf Yachting Association will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Pass Christian Yacht Club, 120 South Market Street, Pass Christian, MS (228) 452-2571. Since some mailing and email addresses may have changed since the last meeting, please distribute this information to the appropriate contacts at your club.
GYA COMMODORES of GENERAL MEMBER CLUBS – Your club’s attendance is very important. If you cannot attend the Board meeting Saturday, September 2nd beginning at 1000 hours, please send a NOTICE naming your club’s representative to the GYA Secretary-Treasurer via mail at 1245 Kensington Drive, Biloxi, MS 39530, email secretary@gya.org, or hand deliver a letter at the meeting.
Pass Christian Yacht Club, will provide all GYA Clubs the program and schedule of events for the Sir Thomas Lipton Challenge competition for the following trophies:
Sir Thomas Lipton Challenge Trophy
Sir Thomas Lipton Inter-Club Sportsmanship Trophy
Tim Murray Memorial Trophy, Most Improved Performance
Race 1 Floyd Davis Memorial Trophy
Race 2 J. Fred Clerc Trophy
Race 3 Michael S. Johnson Trophy
Race 4 no permanent trophy, special trophy by GYA
Last Race Commodore Larry Beauvais, Jr. Memorial Trophy
0800 – 1000 Breakfast 0800 – 1100 Registration/Check-In/Weigh-In 0900 – 0950 Capdevielle Committee (Main Dining Room) 0900 – 0950 Trophy Committee Meeting (Junior Room) 1000 Pool Opens 1000 – 1100 GYA Board of Directors Meeting (Dining Room) 1100 – 1400 Lunch Menu Served 1115 Team Captains Meeting (Bar) 1200 Flag Raising Ceremony (Blue Blazer / White Pants) 1200 – 1800 Pool Bar Open 1330 Warning signal for Lipton Race 1 Race 2 and 3 (if possible) to follow after crew changes. 1900 – 2200 Ship Wreck Party (Dining Room, band begins at 1930)
Sunday, September 3th
0800 – 1000 Crew Weigh-In and Crew List 0800 – 1000 Light Breakfast served in bar by Ladies Auxiliary members 1000 Pool Opens 1030 Warning signal for race 4, race 5 to follow after crew changes 1100 – 1400 PCYC Sunday Brunch 1600 Latest time for warning signal TBD Trophy Presentation (approx. 1.5 hours after first boat docks) Light hors d’oeuvres will be served
This schedule is subject to change – please be sure to check the official bulletin board.
Pass Christian Yacht Club asks all guests to please pre-register for a guest card prior to arrival (attached).
A discounted room block as been established at the following:
The Inn at Long Beach 300 Beach Boulevard West Long, MS 39560 (228) 338-2270 Group Code: Pass Christian Yacht Club
Other area accommodations in the area:
Hotel Whiskey 115 Davis Avenue Pass Christian, MS 39571 (601) 557-2611
Hotel Pass Christian 116 W Scenic Drive Pass Christian, MS 39571 (228) 222-2062
Pearl Hotel, LLC 104 North Beach Blvd. Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 228- 688-0400
Your GYA Flag Officers look forward to seeing you at the Semi-Annual meeting at Pass Christian yacht Club. We ask that you share all information about the weekend events with members of your club. Please wear your appropriate blazer, club badge and white dress slacks for the meeting and flag raising ceremony.